11-9-2023

 Good Morning All,

       James 5:16; “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

     Do you remember The Beatles song, “Do you want to know a secret?”  It was the first top ten song sung by George Harrison.  It was a song about a young man telling his new girlfriend that he was in love with her, but it was a secret.  So apparently this song was way before Twitter or Facebook.  It is somewhat unique how Facebook and Twitter have changed our definition of what is or should be private or public knowledge.  It is at times, staggering, what some people think is “fair game.”

    Our verse takes a look at this but in a far more serious manner.  It doesn’t mean the mind-numbing frivolity of Facebook but a serious look at our life.  So, could you confess your sins, those deep down hard-to-throw away sins to your Christian brother or sister?  That can be a tough call.  Many of us would be too embarrassed to do this.  Yet here we see James telling us to do so.  Why does he do this?  It is not some quirky early version of Twitter, rather it serves a very valid reason.

    If you go to a brother or sister (a confessor) and confess a sin, it becomes very real to all involved.  It exists and it is out there to be spoken of.  It forces us to truly look at it and sense it and realize what it is.  It forces us to truly acknowledge it.  Yet it is also an opportunity.  By confessing it and getting it out there to be seen, we can be healed or at least begin the healing process especially if the one we confess to prays with us for strength in our battle with temptation.  It is also a blessing when that brother or sister speaks the words of God’s forgiveness of that sin.  It can relieve a lot of stress.

    Confessing to our confessor can have a secondary benefit as well. If we have a temptation that is especially strong, we can use that brother or sister as a buffer.  When we feel tempted, we can call our confessor and try to talk it through, maybe even alter our plans if that is what it takes.  Our confessor can also help us by being willing to be someone to whom we hold ourselves accountable for our actions.  This is especially true if we are fighting addictions like drugs, alcohol, or pornography.  By having someone who will hold us accountable can make this task easier.

    The thing to remember is that this is not about titillating or surprising or shocking the one to whom we confess.  This is about recognizing something that is seriously damaging our relationship with God and possibly our fellow Christian.  God gives us the tools to fight this battle; we need to faithfully sue them.

Father, too often we are too weak to stand up to the many temptations of life.  We need someone to help us.  Give us the wisdom and courage to seek out those brothers and sisters who will serve you by giving us the comfort, forgiveness and the support to wage this battle.  Send us your Spirit to strengthen us.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret